Skip to content

Ad Disclosure

Tennessee Volunteers

Is A.J. Johnson a candidate for SEC Defensive Player of the Year?

Jason Hall

By Jason Hall

Published:

A.J. Johnson is off of the best start of his career. Through four games, Johnson has a team-best 46 tackles and is averaging 11.5 per game. The senior linebacker has recorded back-to-back 100-tackle seasons, but had a previous four-game best of 31 tackles in 2012.

Johnson ranks second in the conference in total tackles and is coming off a career-best 17-tackle performance in a Week 5 loss to No. 13 Georgia. He is on pace to surpass his already impressive single-season totals and could finish as the conference’s top linebacker. But does the senior stand a chance to win SEC Defensive Player of the Year?

At his current rate, Johnson poses a strong candidacy to win the award. However, Tennessee must win for the linebacker to be considered for the award.

Here’s a list of the previous winners since 2013:

2013 Michael Sam* Missouri 31 Solo, 17 Ast, 11.5 Sk
2012 Jarvis Jones* Georgia 52 Solo, 33 Ast, 14.5 Sk, 1 Int
2011 Morris Claiborne* Louisiana State 32 Solo, 19 Ast, 0.0 Sk, 6 Int
2010 Patrick Peterson* Louisiana State 29 Solo, 13 Ast, 0.0 Sk, 4 Int
2009 Rolando McClain* Alabama 53 Solo, 52 Ast, 4.0 Sk, 2 Int
2008 Eric Berry Tennessee 7 Att, 37 Yds, 5.3 Avg, 0 TD
2007 Glenn Dorsey* Louisiana State 34 Solo, 35 Ast, 7.0 Sk, 0 Int
2006 Patrick Willis Mississippi 87 Solo, 50 Ast, 3.0 Sk, 0 Int
2005 Demeco Ryans* Alabama 41 Solo, 35 Ast, 5.0 Sk, 1 Int
2004 David Pollack* Georgia 47 Solo, 45 Ast, 8.0 Sk, 2 Int
2003 Chad Lavalais* Louisiana State 1 Int, -5 Yds, 0 TD

Since 2003, Patrick Willis is the only player to win the award while playing for a team with a losing record. There are several other candidates that pose a threat to Johnson thus far.

Missouri’s Shane Ray leads the SEC with 7.0 sacks. Ray also has 30 total tackles, including two for loss, from the defensive end position. His teammate, Michael Scherer, is the only player with more tackles than Johnson (50). Scherer is also the only player other than Johnson to average 10 or more tackles a game.

However, Missouri has yet to see a bye week, while Johnson has played in one less game than the Tigers.

It’s too early to name a clear cut favorite for the award in Week 6. However, at his current pace, Johnson poses a strong candidacy for SEC Defensive Player of the Year and should be in consideration at the end of the season.

Jason Hall

A former freelance journalist from Nashville, Jason covers Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Kentucky

You might also like...

2024 RANKINGS

presented by rankings

Read our Privacy Policy, Terms and Conditions, Cookie Policy and

© 2025 Saturday Down South. All rights reserved

We do not target any individuals under the age of 21. We support responsible gambling. If you feel like you're losing control over your gambling experience, call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, PA, WV), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-888- 532-3500(Virginia) 1-800-522-4700 (NV, TN), 1-800-522-4700 (CO, TN), 1-855-2CALLGA (IL), 1-800-270-7117 (MI). global.footer.legal